Maple Leafs: Minute-muncher Zaitsev’s injury gives Carrick another crack
“You can ask me how he’s doing in two weeks and then we’ll go from there.”
Leafs coach Mike Babcock had pre-empted the question: Where’s Nikita Zaitsev? Out. Lower-body injury, perhaps incurred by a blocking a shot in Detroit on Friday.
At least he wasn’t referring to Auston Matthews, who appears on the cusp of returning to the lineup from what was possibly a concussion, though probably not on Tues- day against Carolina. Although if the coach had his way, the young stud would have participated in Sunday’s practice, rather than skating solo for 20 minutes beforehand. “That’s why they don’t let me make any decisions around here (instead of) the medical department.”
But Zaitsev to the injury reserve list raised another question: Who’s going to eat up those miles he’s been skating, averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per game and a crucial cog on the penalty kill?
Come on down Connor Carrick. And come on up Martin Marincin.
The Leafs recalled Marincin from the Marlies Sunday to fill the blueline void, with three games in four days looming.
But it was Carrick, who hasn’t dressed since Nov. 24, who was paired with Jake Gardiner at practice and they’re the likely five-on-five D-coupling.
“The way I look at it, it creates an opportunity for Carrick, right?” said Babcock. “He’s been waiting all year. You wait for your opportunity. When you get your opportunity you’ve got to make good on it. And then you stay in the lineup. So the ball’s in his court and we get to watch him.”
Bad news for Zaitsev, good news for Carrick.
“It’s pretty exciting to get back,” said Carrick, who has partnered with Gardiner in the past. “Z’s a big part of this club. It’s my job to step in and add what I can.
“We’re playing a tough Carolina team, a team that played us really good the last time we were there. After a couple of practice days, we should be energetic. Two teams trying to accomplish a lot of the same things. So it should be a hardfought, bothersome game on both sides.”
Unclear, probably undecided, if Kasperi Kapanen, also summoned from the Marlies last week, will get the shoulder-tap against the Hurricanes.
He did inject a jolt into the loss in Detroit on Friday.
“I’m sure that’s why they wanted me to play last time, get a little speed and energy. That’s what I want to provide.’’